Professor Fariba Dehghani has been elected a 2026 Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE). These Fellows are chosen for their transformative and lifelong contributions to applying science, technology and engineering to solve big issues facing our nation in a fast-changing world. 

Professor Dehghani is a globally recognised leader in bioengineering whose research has advanced the development and translation of innovative biomaterials, biomedical technologies and sustainable bioprocesses for application in human health and medicine. Based in the Faculty of Engineering’s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the University’s Charles Perkins Centre, she leads multidisciplinary research programs addressing critical challenges.

Working closely with multinational companies and emerging enterprises, Professor Dehghani has successfully translated fundamental research into wide-ranging practical solutions that improve healthcare outcomes, support industrial innovation and create economic value. 

They include: 

• Designing a groundbreaking hydrogel for use at commercial scale for minimally invasive bone and spine surgery, and other interventions. Sublicensed to regenerative medicine and medical device developer Tetratherix Limited, this technology is progressing toward final FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval in the United States.
• Collaborative research designing bioresorbable composite biomaterials with superior performance to existing implants, for bone regeneration. The technology has been sublicensed to Australia-based SDIP Innovations, received FDA clearance, and represents a major step forward in biomaterials engineering and Australia’s advanced‑manufacturing capability.
• Collaborative design of a proprietary polymeric heart valve with superior durability, biostability, and hemocompatibility. This valve addresses obstacles in current heart valve implants. It has been sublicensed to heart valve manufacturer Levtech Lifesciences and is advancing through ISO accreditation, pre-clinical evaluation, and manufacturing, strengthening Australia’s med‑tech translational pathways.
• Working with a clinician and Marine Biotechnology Australia Pty Ltd to discover a proprietary small molecule with demonstrated efficacy for treating painful Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 infections which affect 70 percent of Australians. This discovery offers a promising pathway to improved clinical outcomes. Negotiations with pharmaceutical partners are underway.  

Research aside, Professor Dehghani is recognised for her outstanding commitment to mentoring and developing future leaders and entrepreneurs. She has trained and supervised numerous higher degree students and researchers who have progressed to leadership positions inside and outside academia, and established their own start-up companies. These mentees have forged strong industry links, secured research and investment funding and translated scientific discovery into products and technologies with real-world benefits. 

A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Professor Dehghani has made a lasting contribution to increasing the role of women in STEM; women comprise more than half the researchers she has supervised. Through mentorship, her influence extends to generations of engineers, scientists and innovators. 

Professor Dehghani said being elected a Fellow of ATSE was a tremendous honour and a meaningful recognition of a career dedicated to translating engineering innovation into practical solutions.

“Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working alongside exceptional students, researchers, clinicians, industry partners and collaborators, as well as multinational companies and emerging enterprises,” she said. “These partnerships have been fundamental to translating research discoveries into technologies with real-world impact. 

“I see this recognition as a reflection of that collective journey. The expertise, commitment, creativity and support of the many people I have worked with over the years have been integral to what we have achieved together, and I am deeply grateful to each of them for their contribution.”

ATSE President Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM FTSE FAA congratulated the 34 new Fellows announced today.

“Election to ATSE is one of the highest honours and recognition of achievement in Australian technology and engineering, and is also a testament to the Fellows’ impact, leadership and expertise," she said.

“Fellowship is also a responsibility. Our Fellows are highly engaged and last year volunteered a combined 4,000 hours of critical and valuable input into national conversations, expert advice to government and support for educational and STEM workforce programs.”